Pubdate: Wed, 16 Feb 2005
Source: Dothan Eagle, The (AL)
Copyright: 2005 The Dothan Eagle
Contact:  http://www.dothaneagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3077
Author: Lance Griffin, Eagle Staff Writer

TO TEST OR NOT TO TEST?

Random Drug Testing a Challenge, Opportunity for School Systems

A 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving a school district in
Oklahoma upheld the district's policy that requires all middle and
high school students to submit to random drug screening in order to
participate in any extracurricular activity. To read the case, click
here. The Supreme Court in 1995 upheld a New Jersey school district
policy forcing students to consent to suspicionless drug testing in
order to participate in interscholastic sports. To read the case, click here.

Random drug testing in high schools can work, according to one
administrator whose system has tested student athletes for 10 years.

However, systems choosing to implement the program will face a variety
of challenges, from selecting proper policies and procedures to
dodging legal hurdles to finding money to pay for the costly program.

The Dothan School Board asked its attorney this week to research the
legality of random drug testing programs. The proposal came on the
heels of a local citizen's request for the board to appoint a task
force to study the issue. Some board members said the idea is worth
considering, while others are reserving judgment.

Legal precedent appears to prohibit random drug testing of the entire
student body. However, a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving a
school district in Oklahoma upheld the district's policy that requires
all middle and high school students to submit to random drug screening
in order to participate in any extracurricular activity.

Critics of random drug testing believe the program is an invasion of
students' privacy.

They also contend drug testing programs fail because at-risk students
will simply choose not to participate in extracurricular activities,
effectively isolating them from outlets at school that might be helpful.

But Jerry Browning, athletic director at Hoover High School near
Birmingham, said he believes Hoover's random drug testing program for
athletes has been a successful deterrent.

"I think it lets the kids know this is not something we are going to
condone or allow to happen," said Browning, who said Hoover has been
testing athletes since about 1994. "Does it stop all of them? No. But,
I don't think it hurts anything."

Browning said the Hoover system hires an independent company to
administer the program. He said approximately 10 percent of all
students on athletic rosters are selected twice per year through a
randomly-generated computer printout compiled by another independent
company. Those students are asked to submit urine samples, which are
then sent off to an independent laboratory. If a student tests
positive, the laboratory notifies the student's parents and asks if
there are any factors that might cause a false positive. The athletic
director is then notified. The student then has a right to request the
testing of a second sample taken during the initial test. If that
comes back positive, the student is suspended from his or her sport
for two weeks, or 25 percent of the season. Further penalties are
incurred for additional positive tests and a student must test
negative before being allowed back on the team.

A counseling program is also part of the treatment options for
students who test positive. District 1 Dothan City School Board member
Earl Jones said a drug testing program could be beneficial if
prevention is the main priority and not punishment.

"It could be a very useful tool, but only if you are trying to
identify the deficiencies and prevent the activity. If you are just
testing to exclude, then that is bad," Jones said.

Jones also said it would be difficult for him to support the program
unless the entire student body was eligible for testing.

"I think if you can test one student, then all students should be
eligible," Jones said. Steve Stokes, who has a child at Dothan High,
said several questions would need to be answered before supporting the
idea.

"How is it going to be set up? What are the secrecy and
confidentiality aspects? What if there is an error in the testing?
That could damage a kid forever. And, what is the purpose of the
test?" Stokes said.

"The critical thing is that the parents must be involved in this,"
Stokes added. "I wouldn't want to see anything done without the
parents' permission."

Dothan resident Ron Ellis, who has a child at Northview High, said he
would support the program if properly administered.

Browning said the tests cost about $30 per student, part or all of
which can be absorbed through grant money. He said one of the most
important factors in administering the program is removing the school
system from the process.

"The school, the coaches and the administration should not be involved
in the testing in any way," Browning said. "This needs to be totally
independent."

Browning said all parents whose children participate in athletics must
sign a consent form at the beginning of the season. He said Hoover
tests for amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates, barbiturates,
marijuana, cocaine, angel dust and even tobacco.

District 4 board member Jimmy Addison said he attended drug testing
seminars while head football coach at Dothan High and is intrigued
with the possibility of appointing a task force.

"A lot of times people have the impression that you're just going out
there trying to hunt and find somebody. That's not it at all," Addison
said.

"There may be some students out there who are experimenting, and in
turn, could lead to a problem. If we can identify the problem at an
early age, then maybe we can help them before it gets too late."

Addison added that he believed any random drug testing program should
not be confined to one segment of the student population.

"To me, if you're singling out athletes, then you're discriminating,"
Addison said.

Browning said only athletes are screened in the Hoover system.
However, he said other systems randomly test all students involved in
extracurricular activities. He said something as common as applying
for a parking permit could be considered an extracurricular activity. 
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFLorida)